Navigation system?

Question

Hi , we are excited to be coming to Maui early September. We are planning on driving to Haleakala for sunrise or sunset depending on weather and may drive part or all of the Road to Hana from Kaanapali Beach Resort. Questioning whether cell reception is consistent or should we pay extra for a navigation system on our rental car? If we do the Road to Hana I have already planned on the specific app ( Shaka guide) Thanks!

Answer

When driving around Maui, including trips to Haleakalā and along the Road to Hana, cell reception can be spotty in certain areas, especially when you're further from the main towns or deep into more rural areas. While parts of the island, particularly near Kaanapali and Lahaina, generally have good reception, there are stretches along the Road to Hana where signal can be inconsistent or unavailable for extended periods.

If you're planning to rely on your phone for navigation, you may want to consider a couple of things:

Cell reception along the Road to Hana can be unreliable, and depending on the time of day and your exact location, your connection may drop, leaving you without navigation guidance for a while.
If you're heading up to Haleakalā, the mountain roads can also have weak reception, especially as you approach the summit.
Shaka Guide is a fantastic app for the Road to Hana and other areas, as it provides audio and offline navigation, so it doesn't rely on a live signal.

As for renting a navigation system from your rental car company, it could be useful, but it may not always be necessary if you plan to use an app like Shaka Guide. However, paying extra for a navigation system could offer additional peace of mind, particularly if you're less familiar with navigating without consistent cell service.

Here are your options for navigation:

Use your phone's GPS app (Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc.) with offline maps: Download the maps for the areas you're traveling to in advance (especially for the Road to Hana and Haleakalā), so you can navigate without needing cell reception.
Shaka Guide app: This is a great app specifically for Maui's scenic drives and provides detailed commentary, audio, and offline navigation without needing an active cell signal.
Rental car GPS: If you're more comfortable with traditional navigation systems, you can rent a GPS system from the car rental agency. Just be sure to check if it includes detailed maps of the Road to Hana and other remote areas.

In conclusion, if you have a good data plan and are comfortable using offline maps or apps like Shaka Guide, you likely won’t need to rent a GPS. But if you prefer the reliability of a built-in system, paying extra for the rental navigation could be a good option.